LWV DelCo Environmental Clearinghouse
Delaware County Environmental Clearinghouse
Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has released the draft Pennsylvania 2026 Integrated Water Quality Monitoring and Assessment report, highlighting 67 miles of streams and 7,105 acres of public lakes restored since 2024. The report, including an interactive story map, serves as the biennial update on the health of streams and lakes statewide and is open for public comment.
Water resources expert Kate Hutelmyer, a water resources planner with the Chester County Water Resources Authority discusses the environmental impact of winter road salt on water quality and how we can deal it. The program was presented by the Jenkins Arboretum and Gardens in Devon, PA. Read more to watch the video.
The Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission wants to hear residents’ thoughts on how trucks, trains, and other freight activities affect transportation, businesses, and daily life in Greater Philadelphia. The deadline is Feb. 13.
The sponsor of the Stop Trashing Our Air Act tabled the bill after it became clear Thursday that it would not get enough votes to pass in Philadelphia City Council or to withstand a veto by Mayor Cherelle L. Parker who opposes the measure. The legislation would have banned the city from continuing to send trash to the Reworld incinerator in Chester.
The Delaware County Office of Sustainability has just launched its Sustainable Communities Hub, a website to provide resources for the environmental advisory councils, shade tree commissions and other environmental committees of each Delco community or to inspire those communities that do not have such a committee to start one.
Monroe Energy’s tank farm in Aston, Bethel and Upper Chichester townships has leaked as much as 278,000 gallons of gasoline into the groundwater at the site since last summer, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection disclosed Dec. 23.
The Trump administration’s anti-renewables policies have left gigawatts’ worth of new solar and wind projects strangled in red tape. So as Congress revisits energy-permitting reform, which it’s tried and failed to pass several times over the past few years, solar companies are taking a stand.
A Dec. 4 letter from 143 of those companies to congressional leaders takes aim at one Trump directive in particular: A July order from the Department of the Interior that requires its head, Doug Burgum, to personally approve every decision the agency makes on renewable energy. In the five months since that change, Burgum hasn’t signed off on any new solar projects on federal lands.
Lower Marion Township in Montgomery County will be the first municipality in Pennsylvania to totally ban gas-powered leaf blowers, starting in 2029. Here in Delaware County, Transition Town Greater Media is building awareness and community support before seeking similar restrictions.
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection administers 50 grant programs for environmental projects. 2025 grants are winding down, but you can get a jump on 2026-2027 grant requirements and qualifications. If you want to do something big or small to help the environment and you can get some financial help for your project, why not apply.
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection is holding three hearings, one on Dec. 1 and two on Dec. 2, regarding permits for Monroe Energy, DELCORA and PQ LLC. All three hearings concern the issuance of continuing Reasonably Available Control Technology (RACT III) permits for the control of air pollution released from the facilities.
